At the end of their "No Shave November" campaign, West Manheim Township Police Department welcomed back Sarge, their beloved "Elf on the Shelf." Sergeant Toby Wildasin said the department's Facebook and Twitter accounts have served as "fantastic investigative tools," and posting photos of Sarge helps them attract more followers. Submitted

A news story done by Fox 43 was picked up by the CNN wire and broadcasted nationally Christmas Eve, the post states. The department received positive comments on Sarge from Los Angeles to Richmond, Virginia, according to the post.

"For us, it was a great way to connect to the community, something we hope to continue to do successfully into the New Year," the post read.

Previously reported, Dec. 9

Facebook and Twitter have served as "fantastic investigative tools" for the West Manheim Township Police Department, according to Sgt. Toby Wildasin.

"We have successfully used it to get tips on lots of crimes, and it has helped us solve many cases already," he said.

But the department's followers aren't always interested in "the boring, mundane news" they post, he said.

To keep the public tuned into the department's feeds, Wildasin enlisted one of Santa's helpers this holiday season.

Sarge is West Manheim Township Police Department's "Elf on the Shelf," a plush policeman that keeps followers entertained and engaged during the holiday season. Wildasin posts photos of the elf daily on Facebook and Twitter to attract followers and inspire Christmas spirit.

"It's a good tool for us to interact with the public and help us seem more human and not just the officer in the uniform," Wildasin said.

Wildasin first introduced Sarge to the masses last year.

"I saw it on someone else's Facebook page, and I thought that we could use it in a way that would offer comic relief to our Facebook page and pique people's interest to follow our page," Wildasin said.

The department wasn't sure they were going to do it again in 2015, but based on the public's input, Wildasin said they realized if they didn't bring back the elf, many followers would be disappointed.

Sarge houses his stash of Christmas treats in a locker at West Manheim Township Police Department.(Photo: Submitted)

Sarge helps the department's social media audience to grow, which could help with their future investigations.

"Ultimately our goal is to keep people interested, interacting with our social media," Wildasin said, "so when we have to relay important messages to the community or ask for the public's help in solving a crime, we have that larger base of followers."

Sarge, West Manheim Township Police Department's Elf on the Shelf, poses for a portrait in the township board room. The department's elf went viral, according to a post on their Facebook page.(Photo: Submitted)